Paula Lopez, KEYT anchor reported missing, is back home, station says

UPDATE AT 7:30: The Sheriff's Office said the following in a news release:

“When deputies responded to her residence, they confirmed she was there and no longer missing. We are not commenting on the reasons surrounding why Ms. Lopez went missing due to the fact it is a private family matter.”

UPDATE AT 6:45: Television station KEYT reported Wednesday night that anchor Paula Lopez has returned home.

Her family called the station shortly before 6:30 p.m. to report she was safe, KEYT said on its website. No other details were reported by the station on where she had been since she was last seen at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Original story: Paula Lopez, an anchor at KEYT news in Santa Barbara, has been reported missing.

Lopez was reported missing by family members just after 10 a.m. Wednesday, according to a news release from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff's deputies went to Lopez's home to look for her, according to the news release, and two K-9 units and an Air Support Unit helicopter were called in to help search the area.

“We have been in touch with her family and know they, as well as local authorities, are doing everything possible to find her safe and sound,” said the station’s general manager Mark Danielson in a statement posted on the TV station’s website. “We hope for her safe and speedy return.”

No foul play is suspected in Lopez's disappearance, according to the news release, but her family is concerned about her welfare.

Lopez, 48, is 5 feet, 2 inches tall and was last seen wearing a black sweatsuit and tennis shoes. Anyone with information about Lopez's whereabouts is urged to call the Sheriff's Office Detectives Bureau at 805-681-4150.

Lopez works as an anchor and reporter on the station’s 6:30 and 11 p.m. newscasts.

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